Victoria began the first day of its seven-day lockdown on Friday – the fourth time that Melbourne had been shut down since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The day was cold and cloudy, with ominously empty streets as people could only leave their homes for five reasons: food and supplies; authorised work; care and caregiving; exercise for a two-hour maximum; and to get vaccinated. Following an anti-lockdown demonstration at Flinders St Station on Thursday night, Melbourne’s morning was obedient – empty – and it was not business as usual. The effects of lockdown were not unusual for the city of Melbourne, but this time, shops were shut without any form of JobKeeper assistance – and the 5km travel radius further accentuated problems.